When I first discovered Elizabeth Strout’s writing, the UK editions of her books came with off-putting, wish-washy covers. Fortunately, they were reissued by another publisher with much more appropriate jackets and Strout became a household literary name. 
Four of the following five are also by American writers, several likely much better known in the US than they are here, plus one British author, each deserving of the attention Strout was finally given. All are linked to reviews on this blog.
I’ve long been a fan of Sue Miller’s intelligent perceptive fiction which seems to slip under the radar here in the UK. If you’re in the market for an author of quietly thoughtful, intelligent fiction, she has a pleasingly lengthy backlist. One of my favourites, Monogamy explores a long marriage between two very different people: convivial bookseller Graham and Annie, an artist, self-contained and sometimes a little remote. On the eve of an author event just before Annie’s new photographic exhibition, Graham seems preoccupied. Then something happens that will irrevocably interrupt the intimate call and response of this settled, happy marriage. Each character is developed with empathetic acuity in this is nuanced, tender portrait of a mature relationship.
Anna Quindlen’s Alternate Side takes us to residential Manhattan where Charlie’s cock-a-hoop at having secured a space in
the parking lot of the cul-de-sac where he and Nora have lived for a couple of decades. Theirs is a tightly knit community, tolerant of George, its self-appointed overseer, given to pushing instructions through their letter boxes about what other residents should and should not do. This privileged set of householders looks to the likes of Ricky, the handyman, to keep things ticking over smoothly. One day a shocking act of violence rocks the street, setting off fault lines in relationships that will undermine some irretrievably. With its perceptive exploration of middle-aged marriage, Alternate Side inhabits quintessential Quindlen territory.
Each time I read a new novel by Alice McDermott I think this might be the one that makes UK readers sit up and pay attention: Someone was no exception but, sadly, I don’t remember it making much of a splash. Marie unfolds the story of her life beginning in 1920s Brooklyn as she sits on her family’s apartment steps waiting for her father to come home from work. Nothing passes unnoticed in this Irish American, tightly knit community not least by the gossiping nuns at Fagin’s undertakers whose compassion often falls short of their judgement. Marie finishes school, takes up a job at Fagin’s after much cajoling from her mother, has her share of boyfriends, marries, becomes a mother and moves out to suburbia. An unremarkable life, then, sketched in such light brushstrokes and with such empathy that the brief moments of drama stand out vividly.
Roxana Robinson writes quietly thoughtful unflashy novels. I’ve read as many as are available in the UK as far as I’m aware 
including her latest, Leaving, which sees two sixty-year-olds meeting by chance over forty years since Sarah’s caution resulted in her breaking off a relationship both she and Warren had thought might end in marriage. Long divorced from her husband, whose dubious business dealings she’d distanced herself from, she gives him her email address not expecting him to remember it let alone contact her. Married and living in Boston, Warren’s work as an architect frequently takes him to New York where he and Sarah agree to meet for a drink. They fall deeply in love. The consequences for both will be far reaching and Warren finds himself faced with an unbearable ultimatum. Robinson’s characterisation is excellent; by the end I’d come to care deeply for both Sarah and Warren whose relationship is sensitively and empathetically portrayed. An intensely emotionally intelligent novel, rich in cultural allusions as you’d expect from the biographer of Georgia O’Keefe.
I’ve been an admirer of British novelist Georgina Harding’s writing since reading her debut, The Solitude of Thomas Cave, 
whose poetically beautiful descriptive passages I loved. Her novels are all are worth reading but I’ve picked out The Gun Room. Set in Asia at the time of the Vietnam War and the beginning of the Japanese economic boom, it sees Jonathan Ashe take the emblematic photograph of a soldier that will appear on the front of a magazine changing both their lives. Deeply disturbed by what he’s seen, Jonathan turns his back on a career in war photography that had only just begun, taking himself off to Japan to try to lose himself in its foreignness until a chance encounter brings him face to face with what happened in Vietnam. Running through Jonathan’s story are the reverberations of another war in which both his father and the grandfather of the young woman with whom he’s fallen in love fought on opposite sides. This brief, quietly elegant novel is the first in a loosely linked trilogy which continues with Land of the Living, concluding with Harvest.
Any novels by unsung writers you’d like to recommend?
If you’d like to explore more posts like this, I’ve listed them here.
I heard Alice McDermott speak at Listowel Writers Week last year and she was so interesting and perceptive. I have Charming Billy in the 746, must push it to the top of the pile!
Yes I saw Alice at Listowel, my hometown. She was so interesting. I need access her back catalogue
I loved Charming Billy! My first McDermott.
Oh that’s good to know.
What a great idea to write about these and must read some. What about overrated writers next?
Ha! Tempting – I can think of a few of those.
I have heard of some of these authors. Absolutely loved Roxanna’s Leaving, absorbing and devastating. Alice’s most recent book Absolution is extremely good. A couple of UK writers that I consistently promote here in Ireland as they are under the radar I think are Linda Grant and Rachel Seiffert
Robinson has quite a backlist I’d love to see published here. Linda Grant does OK in the UK but while I remember Seiffert’s The Dark Room getting lots of attention here, not so much since, sadly.
All new to me, which makes your point! Leaving and Someone are now on my list, thanks!
Brilliant! I’m so pleased to hear that, Jane. I hope you enjoy them.
Oh, I’ve wanted to read the Gun Room for a long time, since enjoying Harvest. Thanks for reminding me. Sue Miller never disappoints, but the others are – so far – unknown to me. The others remain to be investigated.
Harding is such a quietly brilliant writer. I’m hoping your library will come up trumps with The Gun Room which will also indicate that she’s in their sights.
Well, Harvest came from the library, so here’s hoping. Yes, a very impressive writer.
I have great faith in them!
I’ve read a couple Anna Quindlens! I did find them forgettable, tbh, but enjoyed them at the time, especially One True Thing. The Gun Room sounds really good. I’m afraid Alice McDermott has the distinction of writing one of my least favourite novels ever (Child of My Heart) but I’ve not read her others.
Oh dear! Can’t win ’em all. I hope you’ll give Harding a try. She writes quietly powerful novellas which don’t seem to get the attention they deserve.
The Gun Room sounds like something I’d like — I’m not aware of Georgina Harding (to your point). I can see it’s in our library system, so will put in a reserve. I loved Roxanna Robinson’s Leaving; to this day it calls up the devastation I felt for the couple. I agree that she’s not at all known and appreciated enough, also here in the States.
Ah, I’m sorry about Robinson – I’d assumed she was better known there than she is here. Such a shame. I’m delighted to hear that Harding’s in your library system, though. I hope you’ll enjoy her writing.
I’ve read Land of the Living but didn’t realise it was part of a ‘loose’ trilogy so I’ll look out for The Gun Room on my charity bookshop travels
Hope you find it, Cathy.
These all sound wonderful. The only one of these authors I have in the TBR is McDermott’s Charming Billy so I’ll dig it out!
My favourite McDermott but prepare to have your heart wrung!
Well this is a post designed to please me! I love Anna Quindlen (and that novel) and Alice McDermott (and that novel) and Sue Miller (I have Monogamy to read). So with that kind of hit rate I will definitely be looking at your other chosen authors here. I do own a Georgina Harding novel (though not that one) but Roxana Robinson is an entirely new name. Exciting!
Pleased to hear you’re already a fan of the first three. The Robinson’s one to sink into and forget the world. I loved it! As for Harding, it’s a mystery to me why she doesn’t attract more attention. A bit like Helen Dunmore in that respect, only more so.
Sometimes I think Quindlen is light and sometimes I think she’s brilliant for making it look easy. In that way, she reminds me of another American writer, sometimes listed for similar prizes, Kaye Gibbons.
As for two Canadian women I think you would enjoy who fit nicely with this quintet, Aislinn Hunter (her website lists both her poetry and novels…I think you enjoy some other poet novelists particularly) and here is Donna Bailey Nurse (a fabulous critic) writing about having a fabulous time with Elisabeth Harvor’s novel All Times Have Been Modern, which I also think you’d enjoy: https://www.blackiris.co/blogposts/2024/11/8/all-times-have-been-modern
Oh, yes – I’ve read and enjoyed Kaye Gibbons. Thank you so much for the other recommendations, Marcie. Both look right up my alley.
Sue Miller and Roxana Robinson are two of my favourite writers, I loved all of their books and indeed have re-read Sue Miller a number of times. Like you, I can’t understand why she’s not better known here. I thought Cost (RR) was exceptional although not an easy read. I also liked Alternate Side although not other Anna Quindlen books for some reason. Charming Billy is the only Alice McDermott I’ve read ( didn’t really enjoy it) but I will definitely try Someone now that you’ve put AMcD in the same category as Sue Miller and Roxana Robinson! Georgina Harding who I haven’t come across so thanks for that recommendation. I look forward to checking out recommendations from Marcie too, I generally really enjoy Canadian writers but haven’t come across Aisling Hunter or Elisabeth Harvor.
Another writer I’d put in this category of quiet, perceptive writing is Carol Anshaw, she also has the added bonus of sometimes being really funny I think.
Thanks so much for reminding me of Carol Anshaw. I read and very much enjoyed After the Weather, meaning to search out more of her books but shomehow never got around to it. Are there any you’d particualarly recomend?
I really enjoyed all of them but I think Carry the One is my favourite. Lucky in the Corner is really funny, I loved it too. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them, they are a treat. As with Sue Miller, she really deserves to be much better known. I found Carry the One in a second hand bookshop and had to send to the US for the others at the time so I hope you can track them down. Thanks again for your work on the blog, I get most of my recommendations from you now
Lovely to hear that. Thanks so much! I’ll have a root around and see if I can come up with the Anshaws.